According to the New York Department of Health, the top causes for fatal teen car accidents in New York are drowsy driving, impaired driving, in-car distractions, driver inexperience and speeding.
Unfortunately, these drivers aren’t the best of drivers, but with help from educators, parents and guardians we can all contribute to safer driving habits and fewer teen accidents. Talk with the teen driver in your life today!
Our young drivers are at highest risk for car accidents. According to newly-released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 1,960 teenage drivers, ages 15- to 20-years-old, who died in car accidents across the nation in 2010. New York City accident lawyers understand that there was another 185,000 people who were injured in these accidents. Although these numbers serve as a 4 percent decrease from the year before, we’re facing increased risks with the summer travel season. Teens are out of school on summer break and they’re spending a lot of it behind the wheel. With more vehicle miles traveled, there are higher risks for accidents. We can all do our part to help keep our young drivers safe by talking to them about these risks. Awareness is one of the main steps in prevention.
Whatever the cause for these accidents, the truth of it all is that car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens nationwide. In 2010, there were more than 210 million licensed drivers throughout the nation. Our teen drivers accounted for more than 6 percent of these licensed drivers. That’s a more than 6 percent increase from the young drivers recorded in 2001. As more teens hop behind the wheel, risks for accidents increase. Parents are urged to talk with their teens about the risks, the dangers and the consequences that come along with dangerous and irresponsible driving habits.
In the state of New York, there were nearly 200 people who were killed in fatal accidents that involved a teenage driver. In these accidents, nearly 70 of the fatalities occurred to young drivers, nearly 40 to passengers of these young drivers, close to 30 were occupants of other vehicles involved and more than 20 were nonoccupants.
Parents are asked to talk with their teen drivers about the risks associated with drinking and driving, too. These young drivers may not be old enough to legally purchase alcohol or to even drink it, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t and that they won’t. In 2010, more than 30 percent of the young drivers involved in fatal accidents were under the influence of alcohol.
Teen drivers:
-are more likely to underestimate or fail to recognize dangerous situations because of their inexperience behind the wheel.
-tend to drive more frequently under higher risk conditions, such as at night and/or without seat belts.
-are more likely to take risks behind the wheel.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC is a law firm that’s dedicated to helping victims and their families to recover from accidents in New York City and elsewhere in the state. Call 1-877-313-7673 to schedule a free consultation from an experienced car accident lawyer today.
More Blog Entries:
Car Accidents in New York – Strong GDL Programs Save Lives, Says IIHS, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, June 5, 2012
100 Deadliest Days for Teen Car Accidents in New York City, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, June 1, 2012
